Re: Getting rid of MTS (Malaysian Trumpet Snails)

[Wright Huntley <jwwiii at pacbell_net>]

Belay that microwave suggestion! Heat works, but boil the pot outdoors as 
Eric suggested.

Gravel contains many small pieces that can hold a surprising amount of 
internal moisture. That popping sound is way harder on the door glass than 
doing popcorn. :-)

Wright

Dennis Heltzel wrote:
> I can just throw it out. It's not the issue of costs or that I'm 
> especially fond of the gravel, I was just thinking about what they could 
> withstand. Cold kills a lot of things, but not all. Al's observation 
> that they withstand -10 and live in the Mississippi makes me think they 
> won't die from freezing. Heat might be more sure. I suppose a stint in 
> the microwave would be even more lethal. A low cost option might be to 
> seal the moist gravel in a clear bag and leave it in the summer sun for 
> a few weeks. This is done to sterilize soil by organic gardeners and 
> they claim it gets enough heat to roast all the nasty critters and roots.
> 
> Having removed all the gravel from the tank, controlling the remainder 
> is pretty easy. As the stragglers move around they are easily spotted 
> and removed, and the little ones cleaned up via water changes. They 
> really only get a good hold in tanks with gravel in them. In bare tanks, 
> all the youngsters can be removed before they get large enough to 
> reproduce.
> 
> Dennis
> 
> LeeH920226 at aol_com wrote:
> 
>> In a message dated 1/6/03 4:34:31 PM, bjc3 at cornell_edu writes:
>>
>> <<  I would try boiling the gravel. >>
>>
>> Unless it is a very rare, expensive gravel, why not just replace it 
>> with new, sterile gravel? I have a bucket of MTS laden gravel and I 
>> will throw it away. It is not worth my time, effort, bleach, etc., 
>> costs to try to use it again.
>>
>> Lee Harper
>> Media, PA USA
> 
> 
> 
> ---------------
> See http://www.aka.org/AKA/subkillietalk.html to unsubscribe
> Join the AKA at http://www.aka.org/AKA/Applic.htm
> 


-- 
Wright Huntley -- 209 521-0557 -- 731 Loletta Ave, Modesto CA 95351

      All K-Mart and Walmart stores to be closed in Iraq.
              They will be replaced by Targets.

                     www.sfbaka.net


---------------
See http://www.aka.org/AKA/subkillietalk.html to unsubscribe
Join the AKA at http://www.aka.org/AKA/Applic.htm